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Man found murdered on Marshall Campus track

A homicide that sounds like the plot of a summer mystery novel -- right here in Southeast

So much is unknown about the death of 30-year-old Barak Rosen, found shot to death on the track of the former Marshall High School, across from the grandstands, just east of S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses. He was probably killed at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night, June 16; it is not known why he was at the track, and with whom.

The exact time of the homicide hasn't been determined; 9-1-1 Center dispatchers sent East Precinct officers out on a "Shots Fired" call at 11:29 p.m. that evening; they responded to the 4200 block of S.E. 87th Avenue.

That city block doesn't actually exist; maps place the dispatched location near the theater complex behind Eastport Plaza – several hundred feet west of the Marshall Campus track, which is being used this year by Grant High School, while Grant is being remodeled.

Recently Marshall was a temporary home to Franklin High, while that campus was being refurbished.

"On June 17 at 4:42 a.m., officers responded to the temporary Grant site, at 3905 S.E. 91st Avenue, on a report of a deceased man on the track with an apparent gunshot wound," reported Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Chris Burley.

Officers and medical personnel determined that the man, later identified as Barak Rosen, was in fact dead, Burley said. "The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy, and determined Rosen died of homicidal violence as a result of multiple gunshot wounds."

During the investigation at the crime scene, Burley observed, investigators did find evidence of gunfire. "There is no suspect information, and no known reason why Rosen would become a victim of violence," Burley remarked.

Not long after being notified of their son's death, Jerry Rosen, his wife Z'ava, and daughter Danya, traveled to Portland from their home in California, and appeared at a Portland Police Bureau press conference.

Family members said Rosen had recently relocated to Portland to start a new job. "He was an avid hiker, and mountain biker – he enjoyed being outdoors, and was enjoying his new opportunity here in Portland," reflected his sister, Danya.

"The person who committed this crime is a coward," declared the murdered man's dad, Jerry Rosen. "We feel horrible, we're grieving, and are on pins and needles; it's important for us to know that our son is getting justice.

"We love our son very much and we want everyone in the community to know that," Jerry said, adding. "Please help us find the killer."

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime – including this one – and, tipsters can remain anonymous.